Clutch



Nov. 2 14926.

C. R. SHORT CLUTCH Filed Nov, 23. 1.923

Sheets-Sheet 1 C. R'. SHORT Nov. 2 1926,

CLUTCH Filed Nov. 23.

1923 2 sheets-sheet 2" IPatented Nov. z, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES R. SHORT, OF DAYTON, OHIO, .ASSIGrN'OR4 T0 GENERAL MOTORS RESEARCH- CORPORATION, OF DAYTON, OHIO, A CORBORATION F DELAWARE.

CLUTCH.

Application led November 23, 1923. Serial No. 676,644.

The present invention relates to single plate clutches for automobiles or other power driven vehicles.

Among the objects is .to increase the efliciency and economy of such devices by de-l .Further ,objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the'y following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein a preferred form of embodiment of the present invention'is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 shows a lvertical section View through a flywheel housing and a partial vertical section through a clutch embodying the invention. y

Fig. 2 shows a section simi-lar to 'F ig. 1 but with theclutch in inoperative or out position.

Fig. 3 1s an elevational view of the rear of the clutch with part of the housing removed. i

In the drawings, a flywheel housing is represented at 5 and a vertically mounted starting motor at 6.

Within the housing'is a flywheel 10 secured to crankshaft 11 in the usual manner and provided with gear teeth 12 cooperat- 1 3 ing with the starter pinion13. The face of v the: fiywheel opposite to shaft 11 is 4provided with two annular flat portions 15 and 16, the first of which 15 serves as a seat for the clutch housing and the second, 16, as a clutch surface.

The clutch housing 20 is in the form of a shallow flanged cup which may be of stamped sheet metal, with an opening 21 in the center for the'throw out thrust bearingv 22, vand is also provided with pressed up .y portions 23,'serving as seats -for the clutch the flywheel by bolts 24.

springs 29. The flange of housing 20 is seated upon .and secured to flat portion 15 of Mounted vwithin and carriedr by housing 20 is a'plurality of L-shaped throw out levers 25. These levers 25 are fulcrumed upon the housing as at 27 and atone end bear against the bearing22. The other ends .of

the straight portions of levers 25 beyond fulcrums 27, that is, at the angle of the l.,

are pivoted between lugs 26 carried by an annular plate 30 with the base arms ofthe `Ls extending through slots 61 in housing 20. This plate 30 is flat upon the side opon shaft 45 of the driven mechanism, which.

shaft and sleeve extend. into the central opening 21 of housing 20. Also, loosely mounted Iupon vthe sleeve 42 is the thrust bearing 22, against the flywheel side of which press the ends of levers 25.

' Against the other side of bearing 22, presses the clutch yoke 50 pivoted at 51 and operable to throw outthe clutch by a cam 52 actuated in the ordinary manner by a clutch pedal (not shown).

The drive of the clutch is taken through the right angle portions of levers 25 extending through the slots 61 in housing 2O and-through punched up lugs 65 in the cylindrical wall of housing 20, which lugs ex'- tend inwardly between 1ugs26 upon plate adapted to4 be spring pressed together withv a driven memberinterposed, a clutch housing lenclosing, said members and having movably'mounted thereon one of thejdriving members, said housing having Lshaped throw out levers fulcrumed thereupon and pivot-ally connectedV at the angle ofthe L L projecting outwardly clutch housing.

2. In a late clutch, driving members adapted to. e spring pressed together with a driven member interposed, a clutch housing enclosing said members and having los to the movably mounted member between lugs upon the latter, with one arm of thethrough a slot in the movably mounted thereon one of the driving members, Said housing having L-shuped throw out levers fulcrumed thereupon und pi'votnlly connected atthe angle of the L 5 to the movubly mounted member between lugs upon the latter, With one arm of the. L projecting outwardly through a slot in the clutch housing, there being also lugs upon the housing adapted to project between the lugs upon the movable driving member.

In testimony whereof I hereto affix my si gnature.

CHARLES R. SHORT. 

